Doubling Down Strategy in Tournament Blackjack
While optimal blackjack strategy spells out clear situations where it is profitable to double down and profitable to split cards, the appropriate situations to double down and split vary in blackjack tournaments. Often what may appear as a situation where doubling down is not appropriate in a blackjack tournament, it can make the difference between winning your table and going home. In fact, when properly positioned, doubling down and splitting cards at the right moment proves to be a powerful technique in managing your stack against your opposition.
When is it Appropriate to Double Down or Split in Blackjack Tournaments?
When playing a blackjack tournament at even the best online casino, it is standard to follow optimal strategy with respect to hitting, standing, splitting and doubling down – usually. However, towards the end stages of a round of play in this blackjack tournament you may find yourself sitting a bit off the leader. You have already upsized your bets slightly, so that you can gain ground without putting too much at risk during a single hand. So looking for situations to press the envelope may be required, such as in the following example.
You sit to the right of the leader and trail slightly towards the end of the round. The leader has been playing conservative until you began putting pressure on his lead. Now he chooses to match you bet for bet. You are dealt a twelve, while he has 18. The dealer is showing a four. Optimal blackjack strategy suggests you stand in this situation. However, that is when the house is your opposition. In this instance, while the house is playing against you, you are in direct competition with the opponent.
When thinking through your options, the opposing player surely will stand with his 18. What do you do? If the dealer draws and busts, each of you win and you have gained no ground. Moreover, if the dealer has or draws to 17 or higher you both lose in the best-case scenario, while the worst case scenario being the dealer hit to seventeen. You may be wise to take a hit with a double down in this instance. Should you receive less than a ten you will gain ground on the opposition – even if the dealer busts.
In the end stages of tournament blackjack play, often we must deviate from what is known as optimal blackjack strategy in order to play successfully in the blackjack tournament. By looking for additional opportunities to double down when nearing the end of the betting rounds in the tournament, you can better press the leader and close the tournament strongly.